Jamaine Punzalan

Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Chairperson Andres Reyes submits to the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City on November 4, 2025, a recommendation to investigate former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, former Undersecretaries Roberto Bernardo and Maria Catalina Cabral, Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara, Assistant Engineer Bryce Hernandez, and Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc. owner Eumir Villanueva for their alleged involvement in an irregular riverbank protection project in Plaridel, Bulacan. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

GHOST FLOOR CONTROL PROJECTS

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176300649752420251104-ici-ombudsman-investigation-report-MT8.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Chairperson Andres Reyes submits to the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City on November 4, 2025, a recommendation to investigate former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, former Undersecretaries Roberto Bernardo and Maria Catalina Cabral, Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara, Assistant Engineer Bryce Hernandez, and Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc. owner Eumir Villanueva for their alleged involvement in an irregular riverbank protection project in Plaridel, Bulacan. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) said Thursday it would recommend charges against three more incumbent and former senators over their alleged involvement in the flood control scandal.</p><p>“We will be filing cases at least against 3 sitting or former senators next week,” ICI Chairman Andres Reyes Jr. told reporters.</p><p>The ICI earlier recommended the filing of criminal and administrative charges against Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, resigned congressman Zaldy Co, Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario Lipana, former lawmaker Mitch Cajayon-Uy, and former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/29/-ici-recommends-raps-vs-jinggoy-villanueva-co-other-execs-over-flood-control-scandal-1206">ICI recommends criminal, admin raps vs Villanueva, Estrada, Co, other execs over flood control scandal</a></div><p>Reyes in late October said witnesses who came forward to the commission revealed the same details during the congressional probes: funds for flood control programs were allegedly inserted during the crafting of the National Expenditure Program or during bicameral conference committee meetings and that the proponents received pay-offs of 20 to 30 percent of the projects.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/12/an-a-z-of-players-in-the-philippine-flood-control-scandal-1625">An A-Z of players in the Philippine flood control scandal</a></div><p>He also said the ICI confirmed that some government contractors made advanced payments to ensure that the projects would be awarded to them.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/13/marcos-flood-corruption-suspects-to-be-jailed-before-christmas-1046">Marcos: Flood control corruption suspects to be jailed before &#x27;Christmas&#x27;</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>5TH INTERIM REPORT</strong></div><div> </div><p>In the meantime, the ICI submitted its fifth interim report and recommendation on Thursday urging the Office of the Ombudsman to look into on potential irregularities in a riverbank protection structure in Hagonoy, Bulacan worth more than P74 million.</p><p>Quoting information from the Commission on Audit (COA), Reyes said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan First District Engineering Office implemented a flood control project through contractor Darcy &amp; Anna Builders &amp; Trading in Barangay Carillo, Hagonoy.</p><p>Reyes said several DPWH officials appeared grossly negligent in ensuring that the projects were properly implemented.  </p><p>“The results of the COA technical inspection, together with the available records, clearly establish that the project was never implemented, despite the unwarranted release and full payment of the contract cost by the DPWH to Darcy &amp; Anna Builders &amp; Trading,” he said.</p><p>The commission recommended the filing of appropriate charges against former DPWH Bulacan First District Engineer Henry Alcantara, engineers Brice Hernandez, Ernesto Galang, Jolo Mari Tayao, John Michael Ramos, Lemuel Ephraim Roque, and contractor Darcy Kimel Respecio. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>LIVESTREAMING </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Reyes said the commission was still studying guidelines for the livestreaming of its hearings.</p><p>“We’re still studying that. We might have something for you on that matter next week. I think we might ask the person if he wants a livestream…because these are potential witnesses and if they feel harm or threat to their safety they might ask for that but there’s no yes or no right now on that,” he said.</p><p>Former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo is scheduled to attend the ICI hearing is on Monday, November 17.</p><div><iframe width="1100" height="619" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WwGf_DLXXig" title="LIVE: Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) holds press briefing | November 13" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) said Thursday it would recommend charges against three more incumbent and former senators over their alleged involvement in the flood control scandal.</p>

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) said Thursday it would recommend charges against three more incumbent and former senators over their alleged involvement in the flood control scandal.

ICI to recommend raps vs three more sitting, former senators

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ICI to recommend raps vs three more sitting, former senators

ABS-CBN News

Published November 13, 2025 12:04 PM PHT

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Updated November 13, 2025 05:50 PM PHT

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DPWH

corruption

flood control

baha

ICI

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